The importation of essential items and emergency-related goods dominated Jamaica’s trade activity in November last year, following the passage of Hurricane Melissa.

Director General of the Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN), Leesha Delatie-Budair gave an update on the Merchandise Trade Data during a quarterly press briefing at the Terra Nova Hotel in Kingston this morning.

She explained that following the Category 5 system last October, emergency-related items such as those linked to energy supply, communication and temporary shelter saw notable import increases.

Delatie-Budair noted that the importation of essential items such as mattresses also surged.

In the meantime, the Director General noted an 11% decline in total exports for the January to November period last year when compared to 2024 figures.

This, while total imports for the same period in 2025 increased by 2.2 percent.